Duke Basketball: Top-35 prospect Cassius Stanley chooses Blue Devils

Cassius Stanley finally makes a college decision for his college basketball home, picking Duke Basketball over a host of other elite programs.

The Duke Blue Devils won the recruiting battle once again. Yes, coach Mike Krzyzewski and the Blue Devils lose more players in the recruiting game than they win, but ultimately that is the way the game is played. Krzyzewski generally does all right and when talking about the top high school players, Duke Basketball is always involved and they come up snake eyes more often than not. That was the case with 2019 four-star shooting guard Cassius Stanley, who decided that Durham (NC) was the place he wanted to go to school on April 22.

Stanley was one of the most sought after late decision-makers in the country. The consensus top-33 recruit held 14 scholarship offers and ultimately selected Duke over Kansas, Oregon, and UCLA. Even though the Blue Devils started showing an interest only about two months ago and offered him just before his official visit on April 12. The other three schools have been “involved” since 2017.

The very explosive 6’5 wing is known for his leaping ability and physicality. He thrives in the open court and is an elite above-the-rim finisher with the ability to finish through contact. The 19-year-old is also a capable ball-handler, passer, and shooter when he is in rhythm and has an open look. Stanley possesses a lot of upside on the defensive end as he is capable of keeping opposing ball-handlers in front and is a fantastic weakside defender.

Stanley does need to continue to work on things with the main issues being focus and motor. He also needs to improve as a shooter and develop some finishing moves. His off-ball defense could also use some work, and he should be a better rebounder.

Stanley had a tremendous senior season earning several major accolades, including being named to the McDonald’s and Jordan Brand all-star games. He averaged 17.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists while leading Sierra Canyon to a second consecutive CIF State open division title.

The Chatsworth (CA) native, who moved his announcement back a few days from April 17 to Monday, is ranked relatively the same among the top recruiting services. ESPN and 247Sports Composite have Stanley as the 29th best prospect in the class. Meanwhile, 247Sports has him pegged at 28 and Rivals has him ranked 33rd.

With Stanley’s commitment, Duke has likely solidified its stranglehold on the top spot in 247Sports recruiting rankings for a fourth consecutive year. As the Blue Devils now have five players in its recruiting class and all five are ranked among the top-50 players in the country. Vernon Carey, a consensus top-five recruit, and Matthew Hurt, who is a consensus top-10 recruit, are the gems. 6’5 wing Wendell Moore and 6’2 combo guard Boogie Ellis are the other two players in the class.

Those five players will join Jack White, Javin DeLaurier, Marques Bolden, Jordan Goldwire, Alex O’Connell, Tre Jones, Justin Robinson and Joey Baker on the Blue Devil’s roster. Jones and Bolden are the only returnees likely to be in the starting lineup when the season starts. Carey will assumingly be paired alongside Bolden.

While Hurt could join those three players in the starting five, it is more than likely he or Bolden will come off the bench. That leaves the other two spots up for grabs with Moore the favorite to grab one of the positions, meaning O’Connell, White and Stanley will compete to become the last starter.

No matter who ultimately starts all eight players mentioned along with DeLauerier will see significant action. Ellis and Goldwire will battle for the backup point guard job. Baker — a five-star 2018 recruit — could work his way into the rotation as well.